Hot Climate or Cool, U.S. Spending $5 Billion to Weatherize Homes

The federal government will spend $5 billion to weatherize homes, almost twice as much as the total spent since the program began some three decades ago, reports the New York Times. This year, however, a large portion, 31%, nearly double the historic norm, will be spent in hot climates to save on air conditioning.

This may not be the most efficient way to save energy, the Times reports, citing the Energy Information Administration. Home heating adds a lot more carbon to the atmosphere than home cooling. But a political compromise with Sun Belt legislators requires the spending. Read the article here.